5 New York Projects Share $3.5 M in ARRA Funds

Oct 07, 2009

Gov. David A. Paterson recently announced $3.5 million for five projects through the Green Innovation Grant Program, which promotes sustainable, environmentally sensitive water infrastructure and technologies.

EFC Acting President Matthew Millea said: “The Green Innovations Grants Program represents a new approach to how we intend to promote the smart, innovative and sustainable design of our water infrastructure in the years ahead. Under the leadership of Governor David Paterson, we are making great strides in improving our administration of the SRF programs in an effort to finance many more projects.”

The grants will support cost-cutting solutions for progressive water conservation, energy efficiency technologies for drinking water systems and clean water infrastructure. The projects include green roofs, permeable pavement, rain harvesting and progressive wastewater treatment processes. In addition, the program expands green job opportunities and builds upon a legacy of green municipal works and entrepreneurship.

“These investments boost local economies and create new jobs, while also promoting our environmental sustainability. The North Country will soon see innovative solutions to threats to our rivers, lakes, and streams that make for healthier water systems,” Paterson said. “I applaud President Obama, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and our Congressional Delegation for their work to secure these critical funds that promote economic recovery, development and environmental stewardship.”

Last March, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) solicited projects to identify green infrastructure opportunities in need of funds. Officials from EFC, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and State Department of Health reviewed nearly 300 applications seeking nearly $468 million. The selected projects were then submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for final approval. Each grant recipient must comply with the ARRA, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act and the New York State Revolving Fund requirements.

New York received $432 million through the ARRA for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $86 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The ARRA requires states to direct 20 percent of their stimulus funding to water quality projects that use innovative approaches to energy and water efficiency, incorporate stormwater infrastructure, and use innovative treatment technologies.

The North Country projects include:

$1.33 million to Glens Falls, Warren County for environmentally innovative and energy-efficient upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility by creating an alternative approach to managing waste grease from commercial kitchens. The project will use waste as a fuel source and minimize disruptions to the facility. Mayor Jack Diamond said: “These upgrades to our wastewater treatment facility will turn a liability (restaurant waste grease) into an asset (fuel) thereby not only saving money, but helping the environment along the way. It's a win for the city on multiple levels.”

$1 million to Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County for the upgrade of equipment with energy-efficient and innovative components including the creation of biomass fuel, from sewage sludge.

$1 million for the Village of Saranac Lake, Franklin County for the installation of approximately 2,000 new water meters, fully metering the remainder of the system and reducing water usage by approximately 70 million gallons per year.

$216,400 to Orleans, Jefferson County for the installation of over 300 new water meters for the water distribution system in the Hamlet of LaFargeville, promoting water conservation through individual metered water consumption.

$12,500 to the Village of Speculator, Hamilton County for the purchase of pipeline inspection equipment to identify areas of the sewer lines where infiltration and inflow are occurring. This analysis will enable the Village to take steps to reduce water in-leakage and energy usage.